Can Palestinians Buy Property in Turkey? The Rules in 2026
Yes, Palestinians can buy property in Turkey. Citizens of the State of Palestine can register a title deed with the passport or identity document issued by the Palestinian authorities. Since 6 March 2019, the Land Registry also accepts identity documents, passports or refugee travel documents issued by other countries, such as Lebanon, Egypt or Iraq, provided they are presented together with a residence permit issued by Turkey's migration authority. As of September 2026, we are not aware of any later change to this rule, but confirm it with the Land Registry directorate before you pay.
What changed in 2019
Before 2019, the Land Registry identified foreign buyers only from identity documents or passports issued by the authorities of their own country. For many Palestinians, especially refugees who hold travel documents from the country where they live, this made buying property in Turkey practically impossible.
The change announced by the General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre (TKGM) in March 2019 added an option for Palestinian citizens, specifically for title deed transactions:
- A Palestinian passport or ID issued by the Palestinian authorities is accepted, as for any other nationality.
- A foreign ID, passport or refugee travel document issued by another country's authorities is also accepted, if it is presented with a residence permit issued by the Directorate General of Migration Management (now the Presidency of Migration Management, Göç İdaresi).
Which documents you need
| Your document | Can you buy property? | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Passport or ID issued by the State of Palestine | Yes | Same rules as other foreign buyers |
| Travel document issued by another country (for example Lebanon, Egypt, Iraq) | Yes | Must be presented with a Turkish residence permit |
| Passport of another country where you are a citizen (for example Jordan) | Yes | You buy as a citizen of that country |
Because the travel-document route needs a residence permit first, plan the order of steps. Obtain a valid Turkish residence permit on another basis before the title deed appointment, then buy. Ask a lawyer if you are unsure which document to use.
Holders of dual nationality are generally assessed on the nationality that gives them the most favourable conditions, so a Palestinian with a Jordanian passport, for example, can buy as a Jordanian citizen.
The usual rules for foreign buyers still apply
Palestinian buyers follow the same process and limits as other foreigners:
- Valuation report by a licensed appraiser before the transfer, if the purchase is for citizenship.
- Title deed fee of 4% of the declared price, usually 2% for the buyer and 2% for the seller.
- Compulsory earthquake insurance (DASK) for the building.
- Limits: a foreign individual can own up to 30 hectares across Turkey, and properties in military or security zones cannot be bought by foreigners.
- No residence permit is needed to buy property as a foreigner in general. The residence permit requirement described above applies only when you use a travel document from another country.
Turkish citizenship through property
Palestinians are not excluded from Turkish citizenship by investment. The current rules are:
- Property worth at least USD 400,000, with a three-year no-sale annotation on the title deed.
- The spouse and children under 18 can be included.
- The property must be a unit with kat mülkiyeti or kat irtifakı title, or land with a building on it; off-plan units can qualify through a notarised sale promise contract if the full amount is paid upfront.
The threshold was USD 250,000 from September 2018 until June 2022, and USD 1 million before that. Older articles that still quote USD 250,000 are out of date. See our step-by-step guide to the procedure and documents for Turkish citizenship and the citizenship page.
Residence permit through property
A residence permit through property ownership is not automatic. The home must be worth at least USD 200,000. Some neighbourhoods are closed to new residence permits. You apply online through e-İkamet, and the application is completed at the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management. The permit can be renewed while you own the property. Read more about residency through real estate.
What this means for buyers
- Check your document first. A Palestinian passport or ID works like any other foreign passport; a travel document from another country works only with a Turkish residence permit.
- Keep the money trail clean. Bring the funds through a bank, and keep transfer receipts. For citizenship, the currency must be converted through a bank in Turkey before the transfer.
- Confirm the rules before you pay. Practice can vary between Land Registry offices; a short check with the directorate or a lawyer avoids surprises.
CCT Investments works in Arabic, English and Turkish and helps buyers from across the Arab world choose new-build projects in Istanbul and follow the title deed process. Contact us with your questions.
